Digital Immigration Status (eVisa)

Your Student Visa and Digital Immigration Status (eVisa)

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is getting rid of physical visa documents, such as passport vignette stickers and Biometric Residence Permits (BRP cards). This is all being replaced by a digital immigration status known as an eVisa, which will be proof of your Student Visa.

For a detailed explanation of what an eVisa is and how it works, you can watch the official UKVI video "What is an eVisa?"

An eVisa is a digital record of your immigration status, so you no longer need physical documents like BRPs, or passports with vignette stickers.

Almost all students currently holding a BRP or other physical immigration document must replace it with an eVisa and create a digital UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) account by 31 December 2024.

Setting up an eVisa is free.

The benefits of eVisas include:

• Security: eVisas are secure and cannot be lost, stolen, or tampered with, unlike physical documents.
• No Waiting for Documents: You won't have to wait for or collect a physical document after your visa application is approved. However, you may still need to provide biometric information in person, and UKVI will inform you if this is necessary.
• Easier Status Verification: It should be quicker and simpler to prove your immigration status at the UK border and to share this information with employers and landlords.

You can get an eVisa from the official UKVI eVisa page.

You should set up a UKVI account to access your eVisa before your BRP expires.

Some students have already received an email from UKVI with instructions for creating an account. Since 6 August 2024, UKVI has made the service available to everyone, so you don’t need to wait for an email. To learn more about eVisas and how to create your account, visit the UKVI eVisa page. You can start setting up your eVisa account by going to the "Get access to your eVisa" page.

Follow these instructions to create a UKVI account and link it to your eVisa.

For a step-by-step visual guide, you can watch the official UKVI video on "How to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and get access to your eVisa".

You can view and prove your immigration status.

After setting up your UKVI account, you can view your eVisa to check information about your Student Visa, including its expiry date and your conditions of stay in the UK.

To log in to your UKVI account, you will need details of the identity document you used to sign in (such as your passport, national identity card, or biometric residence card or permit), your date of birth, and access to the mobile number or email linked to your account.

You’ll also have the option to share your immigration status through the “view and prove” service by creating a share code. This code grants temporary access to your information on the UKVI system. A new code is generated each time. You will then be able to share this code securely with third parties, such as employers or landlords/agents to prove your right to work or rent in the UK.

Your passport will be linked to your eVisa for travelling purposes.

Your eVisa will be linked with your passport through your UKVI account.

If you get a new passport, you must update your account so that your eVisa remains valid. If you don’t update your account with the new passport details you may find you cannot board your plane, so make sure to do this before you travel.

To help you understand the process better, you can watch the UKVI video on "How to Travel With Your eVisa”.

The Home Office is making arrangements so that carriers, including transport operators such as airlines, ferries, and international train services, can  check passengers' immigration status when they present their passport linked to their UKVI account. This will allow them to verify your eVisa with your passport starting in early 2025.

Keep your UKVI account up to date

You can update your details online through the government webpage Update your UK Visas and Immigration account details.

You should update your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account if you’ve changed your:

• Passport (see above)
• Mobile phone number
• Email address
• Name
• Identity document, such as your passport or national identity card
• Home address
• Postal address

Please note that you cannot update your identity document or name while waiting for a visa decision.

By regularly checking and updating your account, you can make sure that your immigration status is correctly reflected and accessible when needed.

If you need more information or advice, please contact International Student Advice Service.